VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – Joshua Manning, a 45-year-old Evansville man, was arrested on Thursday evening and charged with fraud and theft after allegedly taking nearly $70,000 from a woman for a remodeling job that he failed to complete.
According to Vanderburgh County Deputies, the victim initially hired Manning in May to build a home addition, agreeing on a price between $140,000 and $180,000. The victim gave Manning a $29,000 down payment, followed by another $40,000 for materials after he requested additional funds. However, over the following months, the victim claims Manning completed very little work, offering multiple excuses for the delays.
The victim later discovered that Manning was not a licensed contractor and was legally unable to enter into a remodeling contract. Investigators also learned that Manning never filed the required permits for the small amount of work that was completed.
Manning was released Friday on a $945 bond.